Must See: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

That's right, I'm catching up on my Oscar films this holiday.  Just spent nearly three hours at the matinee show of "The Hobbit" and it was well worth it.  It was action packed and filled with little bursts of hobbit, wizard and dwarf humour.  I opted to see this flick at the nostalgic and iconic Vista Theater in Los Feliz.  It's a theater packed with the Old Hollywood Glamour feel to it, and even plays the old-school dancing refreshments promo before the film begins.  (This also means cheap matinee price as well as inexpensive concessions!) Now, my trick is to get a small popcorn and no drink.  The salt helps you retain your fluids, LOL.  Ummm, I did mention it was almost a three-hour film, right?

It is true, Martin Freeman (don't you recall him as part of the porn actor couple in "Love Actually"?) was made to play Bilbo Baggins.  He's perfect, magnificent, quirky and plays a noble hobbit.  The band of dwarfs that he teams up are led by the hunky actor, Richard Armitage, with whom I remember as the hunk who stole the Vicar's heart at the end of the series, "The Vicar of Dibley".  Love, love, love Sir Ian McKellan as Gandalf (there is no other who could play him so well), and we get to briefly see Elijah Wood as Frodo in the beginning and a short scene with Cate Blanchett as Galadriel.  I didn't see this in 3-D and don't feel it's necessary - 3-D films really don't do anything for me.

The special effects are spectacular and I'd give my left big toe to be on set to see how they capture the big dragon to the town of Dale and all of it's inhabitants. I could say Peter Jackson has really outdone himself this time, but he has two more bloody films to go so we'll just have to wait and see.  Pure genius, though. 

So, go see "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" this holiday week and have a very Merry Christmas!  Love and Peace to each and everyone of you! xx

Must See: "Skyfall"

Yes, Bond.  James Bond - is amazing once again in the latest James Bond flick, "Skyfall", starring Daniel Craig.  He is, in my opinion, the best James Bond to date but I am also biased.  Hey, this bloke's a looker, what can I say?  Directed by Sam Mendes (you know, Kate Winslet's ex-husband and he directed films such as "American Beauty" and "Road to Perdition", a film that Daniel Craig was also in! ), this film has to-date grossed worldwide $955,052,000, according to Box Office Mojo.  Can you believe? 

Dame Judi Dench plays "M" in a bit of a twist of a plot with the evil villain portrayed by a bleached blonde Javier Bardem.  And oh to be a bond girl, Berenice Marlohe, is my new idol who's gorgeous and did you know, French Cambodian?!? The other Bond gal is played by Naomie Harris who was in "28 Days Later" with Cillian Murphy and as the crazy voodoo lady in the "Pirates of the Carribean" film series.  Let's not forget co-starring roles with Ralph Fiennes and a smaller part for Albert Finney (ummm, come on - Daddy Warbucks in the "Annie" film circa 1982).  I love action films and "Skyfall" definitely packs a punch, so much that you forget you've been sitting there for almost two and a half hours.  I think the more modern Bond has become more emotional, more human and maybe that's why more and more people find them caring for him as a character rather than just as an uber-talented, good looking spy. 

Here it is - the trailer, which is only an inkling of what to expect in this film.  Go see this one, too, over the holiday break!

Must See: "Zero Dark Thirty"

By Oscar, I think she's done it again.  I'm talking about Director Kathryn Bigelow (who directed the Oscar winner, "The Hurt Locker") and who's latest film, "Zero Dark Thirty", which was just released this past Wednesday has already become "...one of the biggest limited mid-week openings in history", according to The Wrap.  And while this film has started mild conflicts with our own government from the portrayal of torture scenes to undisclosed, or rather what is disclosed information that the director received from inside sources in the white house, this film will truly keep you on the edge of your seat.  Also, be sure to not drink anything during this film as it's a good two hours and 30 some minutes but it doesn't feel that long. 

I definitely predict an Oscar nomination for our leading lady, Jessica Chastain, who portrays the steadfast and strong-headed CIA Operative, Maya.  This was well cast with Kyle Chandler ("Friday Night Lights") as Joseph Bradley, aussies Jason Clarke and Joel Edgerton, and Edgar Ramirez as Larry (and who's also rumoured to be dating Jessica Chastain in real life).  Let's not forget - a small role for former "Soprano's" matriarch, James Gandolfini as a CIA Director (i.e. Leon Panetta). 

I was literally in a high state of distress over the last thirty minutes of this film.  It was almost more nerve-wracking than a super scary film.  I absolutely loved it and you will, too!  Go see it over the holidays and Merry Christmas, ya'll.

Trailer time...!

Can't Wait: "Any Day Now"

I love period films and this film, "Any Day Now", directed by Travis Fine, is set in the 70's and centered around a gay couple who fight to keep custody of a mentally handicapped boy who was abandoned.  This film stars the fabulous and uber-talented Alan Cumming and his partner is played by actor Garret Dilhahunt (for those of you saying, who? He plays Martha Plimpton's hubbie on the TV Show, "Raising Hope") and they're joined by Gregg Henry (you know, he plays the bad guy who whines all the time to Mel Gibson's character in "Payback" and he's also on "Revenge") and Frances Fisher (another one of Clint Eastwood's old girlfriends and of course, a well accomplished actress). 

I haven't seen this film but I do know that it's currently released in Los Angeles with a limited run.  This film seems to have already generated loads of buzz on the festival circuits.  See for yourself!

• Winner! Chicago International Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Feature
• Winner! Seattle International Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Actor Award (Alan Cumming)
• Winner! Seattle International Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Feature
• Winner! Tribeca Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Feature
• Winner! Outfest 2012 - Audience Award for Best Feature
• Winner! Outfest 2012 - Best Actor Award (Alan Cumming)
• Winner! Provincetown International Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Feature
• Winner! Woodstock Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Feature
• Winner! Napa Valley Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
• Winner! Napa Valley Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Actor (Alan Cumming)
• Winner! Key West Film Festival 2012 - Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature 

So check out the trailer and hopefully it'll land in a small indie theater near you.  

 

Announcing the 2013 SAG Nominations...!

And for the 2013 SAG nominations...here's a highlight of the main categories.  For the entire list, click here.  The awards show will air on TNT on Sunday, Jan. 27th, 2013.  Stay tuned!

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
BRADLEY COOPER / Pat – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Abraham Lincoln – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)
JOHN HAWKES / Mark – “THE SESSIONS” (Fox Searchlight)
HUGH JACKMAN / Jean Valjean – “LES MISÉRABLES” (Universal Pictures)
DENZEL WASHINGTON / Whip Whitaker – “FLIGHT” (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
JESSICA CHASTAIN / Maya – “ZERO DARK THIRTY” (Columbia Pictures)
MARION COTILLARD / Stephanie – “RUST AND BONE” (Sony Pictures Classics)
JENNIFER LAWRENCE / Tiffany – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
HELEN MIRREN / Alma Reville – “HITCHCOCK” (Fox Searchlight)
NAOMI WATTS / Maria – “THE IMPOSSIBLE” (Summit Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
ALAN ARKIN / Lester Siegel – “ARGO” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Silva – “SKYFALL” (Columbia Pictures)
ROBERT DE NIRO / Pat, Sr. – “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” (The Weinstein Company)
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN / Lancaster Dodd – “THE MASTER” (The Weinstein Company)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Thaddeus Stevens – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
SALLY FIELD / Mary Todd Lincoln – “LINCOLN” (Touchstone Pictures)
ANNE HATHAWAY / Fantine – “LES MISÉRABLES” (Universal Pictures)
HELEN HUNT / Cheryl – “THE SESSIONS” (Fox Searchlight)
NICOLE KIDMAN / Charlotte Bless – “THE PAPERBOY” (Millennium Entertainment)
MAGGIE SMITH / Muriel Donnelly – “THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL” (Fox Searchlight)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
ARGO
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
LES MISÉRABLES
LINCOLN
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
KEVIN COSTNER / “Devil Anse” Hatfield – “HATFIELDS & McCOYS”
WOODY HARRELSON / Steve Schmidt – “GAME CHANGE”
ED HARRIS / John McCain – “GAME CHANGE”
CLIVE OWEN / Ernest Hemingway – “HEMINGWAY & GELLHORN“
BILL PAXTON / Randall McCoy – “HATFIELDS & McCOYS”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
NICOLE KIDMAN / Martha Gellhorn – “HEMINGWAY & GELLHORN”
JULIANNE MOORE / Sarah Palin – “GAME CHANGE”
CHARLOTTE RAMPLING / Eva Delectorskaya – “RESTLESS”
SIGOURNEY WEAVER / Elaine Barrish Hammond – “POLITICAL ANIMALS”
ALFRE WOODARD / Ouiser – “STEEL MAGNOLIAS”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
STEVE BUSCEMI / Enoch “Nucky” Thompson – “BOARDWALK EMPIRE”
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White – “BREAKING BAD”
JEFF DANIELS / Will McAvoy – “THE NEWSROOM”
JON HAMM / Don Draper – “MAD MEN”
DAMIAN LEWIS / Nicholas Brody – “HOMELAND”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
CLAIRE DANES / Carrie Mathison – “HOMELAND”
MICHELLE DOCKERY / Lady Mary Crawley – “DOWNTON ABBEY”
JESSICA LANGE / Sister Jude – “AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM”
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick – “THE GOOD WIFE”
MAGGIE SMITH / Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham – “DOWNTON ABBEY”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 ROCK”
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy – “MODERN FAMILY”
LOUIS C.K. / Louie – “LOUIE”
JIM PARSONS / Sheldon Cooper – “THE BIG BANG THEORY”
ERIC STONESTREET / Cameron Tucker – “MODERN FAMILY”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton – “NURSE JACKIE”
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 ROCK”
AMY POEHLER / Leslie Knope – “PARKS AND RECREATION”
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett – “MODERN FAMILY”
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky – “HOT IN CLEVELAND”

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK
THE BIG BANG THEORY
GLEE
MODERN FAMILY
NURSE JACKIE
THE OFFICE

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
BREAKING BAD
DOWNTON ABBEY
HOMELAND
MAD MEN

Fave Christmas Film - "Home Alone"

I absolutely love Christmas - for many obvious reasons, of course.  But mostly because of the Christmas themed films.  I don't know why I love them so much but they always put me in a good mood.  That being said - I think the one film that will always top my list is "Home Alone" starring the adorable little Macauley Culkin.  He played such a crafty, inventive kid.  And seriously, how can you go wrong with a film being directed by Chris Columbus and written by the late John Hughes.  I mean, this was 1990 and Mr. Columbus would go on to direct greats such as "Mrs. Doubtfire", the first two "Harry Potter" films and "Rent" to name a few.  

I'd like to remind you how star-studded this film was - allow me to introduce you to...Kevin's parents played by Catherine O'Hara and John Heard, the burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, a little cameo by polka band member John Candy and even Macauley's little bro, Kieran Culkin played one of the siblings.  OH!  And do you recall the "french" ticket agent?  She was played by Hope Davis - one of my fave actresses.  So, pop in "Home Alone" and relax knowing that you don't come from a family like that.  Or do you?

p.s. I totally love trailers from the '90's!